"I'm excited about it," Fitzpatrick said Tuesday. "I don't think it changes much in terms of the way that I've got to continue to attack the playbook and learn and how we've got to continue to learn as an offense. We've got a very long way to go."

O'Brien's quick decision amounts to the safest choice at the position. He's far from inspiring, but Fitzpatrick gives this new coaching staff a veteran option with 77 NFL starts since 2005.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Fitzpatrick has his best year in the NFL," Cosell recently told Nashville's WGFX-FM. "We're not suggesting he's a top five quarterback but I think he's got some tools. I think he's a smart kid, he's got some movement to him."